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The new City-wide Zoning By-law 569-2013 was enacted on May 9, 2013. It has been appealed under section 34(19) of the Planning Act. Even though it is under appeal, the City's Chief Building Official and the Committee of Adjustment will apply the new By-law to applications filed after its enactment. Please consult with your advisors to determine whether the new by-law has any impact.
Amendments to By-law 569-2013 have been incorporated into this office consolidation. The web version of this by-law does not include highlighting to reflect the regulations that remain under appeal as a result of appeals to the By-law as adopted on May 9, 2013. Please review the PDF version of the office consolidation for regulations that remain under appeal.
The original by-law and its amendments are with the City Clerk's office.
Zoning By-law No. 569-2013, as
amended (office consolidation),
is available in PDF format from the
Zoning By-law 569-2013 homepage
   
 
City of Toronto Zoning By-law 569-2013, as amended (Office Consolidation)
Version Date: July 31, 2023
Table of Contents

Back to Top of Bylaw

Chapter 1Administration
Chapter 2Compliance with this By-law
Chapter 5Regulations Applying to all Zones
Chapter 10Residential
10.5Regulations Applying to the Residential Zone Category
10.10Residential Zone ( R )
10.20Residential Detached Zone (RD)
10.20.1General
10.20.1.10Interpretation
10.20.20Permitted Uses
10.20.20.10Permitted Use
10.20.20.20Permitted Use - with Conditions
10.20.20.40Permitted Building Types
10.20.20.100Conditions
10.20.30Lot Requirements
10.20.30.10Lot Area
10.20.30.20Lot Frontage
10.20.30.40Lot Coverage
10.20.40Principal Building Requirements
10.20.40.1General
10.20.40.10Height
10.20.40.11Height Exemptions
10.20.40.20Building Length
10.20.40.30Building Depth
10.20.40.40Floor Area
10.20.40.50Decks, Platforms and Amenities
10.20.40.70Setbacks
10.40Residential Semi-Detached Zone (RS)
10.60Residential Townhouse Zone ( RT)
10.80Residential Multiple Zone (RM)
Chapter 15Residential Apartment
Chapter 30Commercial
Chapter 40Commercial Residential
Chapter 50Commercial Residential Employment
Chapter 60Employment Industrial
Chapter 80Institutional
Chapter 90Open Space
Chapter 100Utility and Transportation
Chapter 150Specific Use Regulations
Chapter 200Parking Space Regulations
Chapter 220Loading Space Regulations
Chapter 230Bicycle Parking Space Regulations
Chapter 280Special Districts - Downtown
Chapter 300Special Districts - Centres
Chapter 400Special Districts - Avenues
Chapter 500Special Districts - Heritage
Chapter 600Regulations for Overlay Zones
Chapter 800Definitions
Chapter 900Site Specific Exceptions
Chapter 970Appendices
Chapter 990Zoning By-law Map
Chapter 995Overlay Maps

Chapter 10 Residential

10.20 Residential Detached Zone (RD)

10.20.1 General

10.20.1.10 Interpretation

(1)Application of This Section
The regulations in Section 10.20 apply to all lands, uses, buildings and structures in the RD zone.

10.20.20 Permitted Uses

10.20.20.10 Permitted Use

(1)Use - RD Zone
The following uses are permitted in the RD zone:

Dwelling Unit in a permitted residential building type in Clause 10.20.20.40.
Municipal Shelter
Park [ By-law: 545-2019 ]

10.20.20.20 Permitted Use - with Conditions

(1)Use with Conditions - RD Zone
The following uses are permitted in the RD zone if they comply with the specific conditions associated with the reference number(s) for each use in Clause 10.20.20.100:

Ambulance Depot (1)
Cogeneration Energy (2)
Community Centre (3)
Day Nursery (4)
Fire Hall (1)
Garden Suite (17)
Group Home (5)
Home Occupation (6)
Laneway Suite (16)
Library (3)
Place of Worship (8)
Police Station (1)
Private Home Daycare (9)
Public Utility (10, 11)
Renewable Energy (2)
Secondary Suite (12)
Seniors Community House (13)
Short-term Rental (15)
Transportation Use (14)
[By-law 1453-2017]
[By-law: 545-2019]
[By-law: 1210-2019]
[By-law: 101-2022]

10.20.20.40 Permitted Building Types

(1)Permitted Residential Building Types - RD Zone
In the RD zone, a dwelling unit is permitted in the following residential building types:
(A) Detached House;
(B) Duplex;
(C) Triplex; and
(D) Fourplex. [ By-law: 474-2023 ]
(2)Chapter 900 Exceptions
Despite regulations 900.1.10(3) and 900.1.10(4)(A), a duplex, triplex or fourplex is a permitted residential building type if it complies with the regulations for the RD zone and all other requirements of this By-law, or is authorized by a Section 45 Planning Act minor variance. [ By-law: 474-2023 ]

10.20.20.100 Conditions

(1)Ambulance Depot, Fire Hall or Police Station
In the RD zone, an ambulance depot, a fire hall or a police station must be on a lot that:
(A)fronts on a major street on the Policy Areas Overlay Map; or
(B)fronts on a street which intersects a major street on the Policy Areas Overlay Map, and is no more than 250 metres from that intersection.
(2)Cogeneration Energy Production or Renewable Energy Production
In the RD zone, cogeneration energy production or renewable energy production must be in combination with another permitted use on the lot, and comply with all Municipal, Provincial and Federal by-laws, statutes and regulations.
(3)Community Centre or Library
In the RD zone, a community centre or a library must:
(A)be operated by, or on behalf of, the City of Toronto;
(B)be on a lot with a lot area of 1500 square metres or less; and
(C)have a front lot line or side lot line abutting:
(i)a major street on the Policy Areas Overlay Map, or
(ii)a street which intersects a major street on the Policy Areas Overlay Map, and the lot is located, in whole or in part, within 80.0 metres of that intersection.
(4)Day Nursery
A day nursery in the RD zone must comply with the specific use regulations in Section 150.45.
(5)Group Home
A group home in the RD zone must comply with the specific use regulations in Section 150.15.
(6)Home Occupation
A home occupation in the RD zone must comply with the specific use regulations in Section 150.5.
(8)Place of Worship
In the RD zone, a place of worship must:
(A)comply with the specific use regulations in Section 150.50;
(B)be on a lot with:
(i)a front lot line or side lot line abutting a major street on the Policy Areas Overlay Map;
(ii)a lot area of at least 2,000 square metres; and
(iii)a lot frontage of at least 30 metres; and
(C)be in a building with no more than 2,000 square metres of gross floor area; and
(D)a lawfully existing place of worship is exempt from the requirements of regulation 10.20.20.100(8) (B) and (C).
(9)Private Home Daycare
A children's play area for a private home daycare in the RD zone:
(A)must be fenced; and
(B)may not be located in the front yard or a side yard abutting a street.
(10)Public Utility
In the RD zone, a public utility may not be:
(A)a sewage treatment plant;
(B)a water filtration plant; or
(C)an above-ground water reservoir.
(11)Public Utility
In the RD zone, a public utility must be enclosed by walls and comply with the permitted maximum lot coverage, required minimum building setbacks and permitted maximum height for a building in the RD zone if it is:
(A)a hydro electrical transformer station; or [ By-law: OMB PL130592 February 7, 2017 ]
(B)a natural gas regulator station.
(12)Secondary Suite
A secondary suite in the RD zone must comply with the specific use regulations in Section 150.10.
(13)Seniors Community House
A seniors community house in the RD zone must comply with the specific use regulations in Section 150.30.
(14)Transportation Use
A building or structure on a lot in the RD zone and used as a transportation use must comply with all requirements for a building on that lot.
(15)Short-term Rental
A short-term rental in the RD zone must comply with the specific use regulations in Section 150.13. [ By-law: 1453-2017 ]
(16)Laneway Suite
A laneway suite in the RD zone must comply with the specific use regulations in Section 150.8. [ By-law: 1210-2019 ]
(17)Garden Suite
A garden suite in the RD zone must comply with the specific use regulations in Section 150.7. [ By-law: 101-2022 ]

10.20.30 Lot Requirements

10.20.30.10 Lot Area

(1)Minimum Lot Area
In the RD zone:
(A)if a zone label includes the letter "a", on the Zoning By-law Map, the numerical value following the letter "a" is the required minimum lot area, in square metres; and
(B)if the zone label does not include an "a" value on the Zoning By-law Map, the required minimum lot area, in square metres, is the required minimum lot frontage multiplied by 30 metres.

10.20.30.20 Lot Frontage

(1)Minimum Lot Frontage
In the RD zone:
(A)if a zone label includes the letter "f", as on the Zoning By-law Map, the numerical value following the letter "f" is the required minimum lot frontage, in metres; and
(B)if the zone label does not include an "f" value on the Zoning By-law Map, the required minimum lot frontage is 12.0 metres.

10.20.30.40 Lot Coverage

(1)Maximum Lot Coverage
In the RD zone:
(A)if a lot in is in an area with a numerical value on the Lot Coverage Overlay Map, that numerical value is the permitted maximum lot coverage, as a percentage of the lot area; and
(B)if a lot is not in an area with a numerical value on the Lot Coverage Overlay Map, no lot coverage applies.

10.20.40 Principal Building Requirements

10.20.40.1 General

(1)Application of this Article
The regulations in Article 10.20.40 apply to buildings or structures in the RD zone, other than ancillary buildings or structures which are subject to Article 10.5.60.
(2)Number of Residential Buildings on a Lot
A maximum of one residential building is permitted on a lot in the RD zone.
(3)Building Orientation to a Street - Buildings with Dwelling Units
In the RD zone, a building, or an addition which is not attached above-ground to the original part of a building, is not permitted if:
(A)it has dwelling units and is in the rear of another building or the original part of the same building; or
(B)it is in front of a building, or the original part of the same building, with dwelling units, so as to produce the condition of a building with dwelling units in the rear of another building.

10.20.40.10 Height

(1)Maximum Height
The permitted maximum height for a building or structure on a lot in the RD zone is:
(A)the numerical value, in metres, following the letters "HT" on the Height Overlay Map; or
(B)if the lot is in an area with no numerical value following the letters "HT" on the Height Overlay Map, 10.0 metres; and
(C)despite (A) above, the permitted maximum height for a duplex, triplex, or fourplex is the greater of:
(i)the numerical value, in metres, following the letters "HT" on the Height Overlay Map; or
(ii)10.0 metres. [ By-law: 474-2023 ]
(2)Maximum Height of Specified Pairs of Main Walls
In the RD zone, the permitted maximum height of the exterior portion of main walls for a permitted residential building is the higher of 7.0 metres above established grade or 2.5 metres less than the permitted maximum height in regulation 10.20.40.10(1), for either (A) or (B) below:
(A)all side main walls, for at least 70 percent of the total width of each side main wall; or
(B)all front main walls and all rear main walls, for at least:
(i)60 percent of the total width of all front main walls and all rear main walls if the building is on a lot with a lot frontage of 12.0 metres or more;
(ii)50 percent of the total width of all front main walls and all rear main walls if the building is on a lot with a lot frontage greater than 7.5 metres and less than 12.0 metres; and
(iii)40 percent of the total width of all front main walls and all rear main walls if the building is on a lot with a lot frontage of 7.5 metres or less. [ By-law: 474-2023 ]
(3)Maximum Number of Storeys
The permitted maximum number of storeys in a building on a lot in the RD zone is:
(A)the numerical value following the letters "ST" on the Height Overlay Map;
(B)if the lot is in an area with no numerical value following the letters "ST" on the Height Overlay Map, the number of storeys is not limited by this regulation; and
(C)the permitted maximum number of storeys in a building on a lot in regulation (A) does not apply to a duplex, triplex or fourplex. [ By-law: 474-2023 ]
(4)Maximum Height of Main Walls of a Residential Building with a Flat or Shallow Roof
Subject to regulation 10.20.40.10(1), if a permitted residential building in the RD zone has a roof with a slope of less than 1.0 vertical units for every 10.0 horizontal units for more than 50 percent of the total horizontal roof area:
(A)despite regulation 10.20.40.10(2), the permitted maximum height of all main walls is the higher of 7.2 metres above established grade or 2.5 metres less than the permitted maximum height in regulation 10.20.40.10(1); and
(B)despite (A) above, additional main walls are permitted to be located above the maximum height of all main walls permitted in (A) above, provided all the additional front main walls and rear main walls located above the main walls permitted in (A) above are set back a minimum of 1.4 metres from the front main walls and rear main walls permitted in (A). [ By-law: 474-2023 ]
(5)Exemption for Parapet on a Residential Building with a Flat or Shallow Roof
A parapet on a residential building in the RD zone may exceed the permitted maximum main wall height in regulation 10.20.40.10(4) by a maximum of 0.3 metres. [ By-law: 474-2023 ]
(6)Height of Main Pedestrian Entrance
In the RD zone, for a residential building, the elevation of the lowest point of a main pedestrian entrance through the front wall or a side main wall may be no higher than 1.2 metres above established grade. [ By-law: 474-2023 ]
(7)Width of Dormers in a Roof Above a Second Storey or Higher
In the RD zone, on a residential building with two or more storeys, the walls of a dormer are not main walls if:
(A)the face of the dormer is in a roof directly above a part of a main wall that does not exceed the permitted maximum main wall height; and
(B)the total width of the faces of the dormers in the roof described in (A) above is no greater than 40 percent of the width of the parts of the main walls that do not exceed the permitted maximum main wall height, measured at the level of the uppermost storey below the roof. [ By-law: 474-2023 ]
(8)Exclusion of Certain Floor Area Within an Attic Space as a Storey
In the RD zone, where a floor area meets the conditions set out in regulation 10.5.40.40(1), this space is not a storey if it is used for housing or maintaining mechanical equipment for the building and the floor area does not exceed 20 square metres.

10.20.40.11 Height Exemptions

(1)Alterations to the Roof of Lawfully Existing Buildings in an RD Zone
In addition to the requirements of regulation 10.5.40.11(3), if a lawfully existing building in the RD zone is a residential building, the altered roof may not have a slope less than 1.0 vertical units for every 4.0 horizontal units for more than 50 percent of the total horizontal roof area. [ By-law: 474-2023 ]

10.20.40.20 Building Length

(1)Maximum Building Length if Required Lot Frontage is in Specified Range
In the RD zone with a required minimum lot frontage of 18.0 metres or less, the permitted maximum building length for a permitted residential building is 17.0 metres. [ By-law: 474-2023 ]
(2)One Storey Extension to Building Length if Required Lot Frontage is in Specified Range
In the RD zone, despite regulation 10.20.40.20(1), on a lot with a required minimum lot frontage of more than 12.0 metres to 18.0 metres, a detached house may extend beyond the permitted maximum building length by a maximum of 2.0 metres, if the extended part:
(A)has a maximum height of 5.0 metres and one storey;
(B)is no wider than 50% of the width of the building at its widest point; and
(C)is at least 3.0 metres from each side lot line.
(3)Maximum Building Length for a Duplex, Triplex or Fourplex if Lot Frontage and Lot Depth is in Specified Range
Despite regulation 10.20.40.20(1), in the RD zone, a duplex, triplex or fourplex may have a permitted maximum building length of 19.0 metres if the lot:
(A)has a lot depth of 36.0 metres or greater and a lot frontage of less than 10.0 metres; or
(B)has a lot depth of 40.0 metres or greater and a lot frontage of 10.0 metres or greater. [ By-law: 474-2023 ]

10.20.40.30 Building Depth

(1)Maximum Building Depth if Required Lot Frontage is in Specified Range
In the RD zone with a required minimum lot frontage of 18.0 metres or less, the rear main wall of a detached house, not including a one storey extension that complies with regulation 10.20.40.20(2), may be no more than 19.0 metres from the required front yard setback.
(2)Maximum Building Depth for a Duplex, Triplex or Fourplex if Lot Frontage and Lot Depth is in Specified Range
In the RD zone, a duplex, triplex or fourplex may have a permitted maximum building depth of 19.0 metres if the lot:
(A)has a lot depth of 36.0 metres or greater and a lot frontage of less than 10.0 metres; or
(B)has a lot depth of 40.0 metres or greater and a lot frontage of 10.0 metres or greater. [ By-law: 474-2023 ]

10.20.40.40 Floor Area

(1)Floor Space Index
In the RD zone, the permitted maximum floor space index is:
(A)the numerical value following the letter "d" in the zone label on the Zoning By-law Map; or
(B)if the zone label does not include a "d" value on the Zoning By-law Map, the permitted maximum floor space index is 0.6; and
(C)the permitted maximum floor space index in regulations (A) and (B) above do not apply to a duplex, triplex or fourplex. [ By-law: 474-2023 ]
(1)Floor Space Index
In the RD zone, the permitted maximum floor space index is:
(A)the numerical value following the letter "d" in the zone label on the Zoning By-law Map; or
(B)if the zone label on the Zoning By-law Map does not include a "d" value on the Zoning By-law Map, the floor space index is not limited by this regulation; and
(C)the permitted maximum floor space index in regulation (A) above does not apply to a duplex, triplex or fourplex. [ By-law: 66-2024 Enacted ]

10.20.40.50 Decks, Platforms and Amenities

(1)Platforms at or Above the Second Storey of a Detached House
In the RD zone, a platform such as a deck or balcony with access from the second storey or above of a detached house must comply with the following:
(A)there may be no more than a total of four platforms, and no more than one on each of the front, rear and each side of the detached house; and
(B)the maximum area of each platform is 4.0 square metres.
(2)Interpretation of Platform Walls
In the RD zone, if an area is not subject to lot coverage, in addition to regulation 10.5.40.50(1) the exterior sides of a lawfully existing platform that was lawfully enclosed in compliance with the former City of Toronto By-law 438-86 are not main walls.
(3)Platforms at or Above the Second Storey of a Duplex, Triplex or Fourplex
In the RD zone, platforms such as a deck or balcony, with access from the second storey or above of a duplex, triplex or fourplex must comply with the following:
(A)there may be no more than a total of 2 platforms for each dwelling unit, and no more than one on each of the front and rear sides of the dwelling unit; and
(B)a platform permitted in (A) above for a duplex, triplex or fourplex on a corner lot may also be located on a main wall of a dwelling unit facing a street. [ By-law: 474-2023 ]

10.20.40.70 Setbacks

(1)Minimum Front Yard Setback
If regulation 10.5.40.70(1) does not apply, the required minimum front yard setback in the RD zone is 6.0 metres.
(2)Minimum Rear Yard Setback
The required minimum rear yard setback in the RD zone is the greater of:
(A)7.5 metres; or
(B)25% of the lot depth.
(3)Minimum Side Yard Setback
The required minimum side yard setback in the RD zone is:
(A)0.6 metres if the required minimum lot frontage is less than 6.0 metres;
(B)0.9 metres if the required minimum lot frontage is 6.0 metres to less than 12.0 metres;
(C)1.2 metres if the required minimum lot frontage is 12.0 metres to less than 15.0 metres;
(D)1.5 metres if the required minimum lot frontage is 15.0 metres to less than 18.0 metres;
(E)1.8 metres if the required minimum lot frontage is 18.0 metres to less than 24.0 metres;
(F)2.4 metres if the required minimum lot frontage is 24.0 metres to less than 30.0 metres; and
(G)3.0 metres if the required minimum lot frontage is 30.0 metres or greater.
(4)Shifting Minimum Side Yard if Required Lot Frontage is in Specified Range
Despite regulation 10.20.40.70(3), for a lot in the RD zone with a required minimum lot frontage of 12.0 metres to less than 18.0 metres, the required minimum side yard setback on one side of a permitted residential building, may be reduced by a maximum of 0.3 metres if the required minimum side yard setback on the other side of the permitted residential building is increased by the same amount. [ By-law: 474-2023 ]
(5)Larger Minimum Side Yard Beyond Specified Depth if Required Lot Frontage is Over 18.0 Metres
Despite regulation 10.20.40.70(3), for a lot in the RD zone with a required minimum lot frontage greater than 18.0 metres, the required minimum side yard setback is 7.5 metres for any portion of a building that is farther from the front lot line than the lesser of:
(A)17.0 metres from the front main wall of the building; or
(B)19.0 metres from the required front yard setback.
(6)Minimum Side Yard Abutting a Street for Specified Corner Lots
Despite regulation 10.20.40.70(3) and (4), for a corner lot in the RD zone, the required minimum side yard setback from a side lot line abutting a street is 3.0 metres, if:
(A)the required minimum lot frontage for the corner lot is 12.0 metres or more; and
(B)there is an adjacent lot fronting on the street abutting the side lot line of the corner lot.
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